Khamenei Orders Ahmadinejad to Dump Mashaie

Ayatollah Khamenie's handwritten note ordering
Ahmadinejad to drop Mashaie's appointment

Fars News Agency, 24 July

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenie in a handwritten note to President Ahmadinejad ordered him to reverse the the appointment of Esfandyar Rahim-Mashaie as his First Vice President. The note written on 18 July was made public today by Fars.

“The appointment of Mr. Esfandyar Rahim-Masha'i as presidential deputy is contrary to your interests and that of the government and a cause for divisions and frustration among your supporters. It is necessary for this appointment to be declared null and void,” Khamenie said in his note to Ahmadinejad.

Mashaie stepped down today, citing Khamanie’s “decree.”